A new flagship project namely ‘Lokprasar Prakalpo' has been introduced by the Department of Information & Cultural Affairs with the inspiration of Hon'ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The main objectives of the project are - (I) to bestow dignity on folk artistes by issuing them identity cards, (2) to uphold the traditional folk forms of Bengal, (3) to revive nearly-extinct folk-forms of art and culture and (4) to uplift the socio economic conditions of artists associated with folk culture.

The Department of Information and Cultural Affairs has been implementing, the following programmes under 'Lokprasar Prakalpo':

(a) issuing identity card to each folk-artiste;

(b) arranging for monthly pension for veteran and distressed folk-artistes;

(c) granting of retainer fee to artistes; and

(d) arranging for the minimum income by engaging them in the public campaign programme on development projects.

(a) Issuing of Identity Cards

One of many objectives that the 'Lokprasar Prakalpo' is to bestow dignity on every folk-artistes. Unfortunately folk-artistes hardly get their due respect, and they remain ignored in the society. The Government has taken initiative to confer upon them their due honour through Lokprasar Prakalpo. So far, 84,720 artistes have been provided with identity cards across the state.

(b) Provisions for pensions for the needy and elderly folk artistes

There are many folk artistes in Bengal, who used to perform in various programmes with reputation and attracted attention of the audiences. Most of them are now unable to perform because of their old age. They don't have definite source of income and there is nobody to look after them. The government helps them and provides social security for them through Lokprasar Prakalpo.

The folk artistes who are above 60 years of age are getting pension under Lokprasar Prakalpo. At present, in West Bengal about 8,596 artistes have been receiving Rs. 1000 per month.

(c) Retainer fee for the artistes

The enlisted folk artistes under the age of 60 years in Lokprasar Prakalpo, who are engaged in publicity campaign in different departments, have been receiving Rs. 1000 per month as retainer fee. Till now approximately 76,000 folk artistes have been receiving the retainer fee.

(d) Utilisation of services of the Folk Artistes for the publicity of Development Projects

Government is in the mission of publicising its Flagship Programme through Lokprasar Prakalpo among the people. For instance, the Folk Artistes are being utilized for disseminating information regarding the schemes like Kannyasree, Yubasree, Sikshasree etc. and programmes like Nirmal Bangla, Sarbo Sikhsa Avijan etc. to the common people. Initiative has been taken for arranging 4/5 nos. of programme for each artistes. A yearlong campaign is organised through mobile Tableau Vans where folk artists are engaged by rotation in each district and sub division.

Following table shows the breakup of enlisted folk artists in districts:

Sl. No.

District

Total Enlisted F.A.s

1

Cooch Behar

8,066

973

9,039

2

Alipurduar

3,212

311

3,523

3

Jalpaiguri

2,432

301

2,733

4

Darjeeling

2,544

265

2,809

5

Kalimpong

426

95

521

6

Uttar Dinajpur

11,676

2,462

14,138

7

Dakshin Dinajpur

2,514

1,418

3,932

8

Maldah

3,434

337

3,771

9

Murshidabad

12,892

931

13,823

10

Nadia

7,593

1,466

9,059

11

North 24 Parganas

8,458

1,348

9,806

12

South 24 Parganas

5,236

854

6,090

13

Howrah

1,518

226

1,744

14

Purba Midnapore

9,476

1,958

11,434

15

Paschim Midnapore

11,223

887

12,110

16

Jhargram

12,341

781

13,122

17

Purulia

19,700

2,038

21,738

18

Bankura

14,811

1,182

15,993

19

Hooghly

9,800

1,208

11,008

20

Purba Bardhaman

11,727

1,000

12,727

21

Paschim Bardhaman

2,126

130

2,256

22

Birbhum

12,097

772

12,869

23

Kolkata

151

51

202

Total

1,73,453

20,994

1,94,447

Initiative has been taken to organise workshops in each district with the assistance of the researchers on folk culture for upgrading the traditional folk forms for presentation to new generations in a more attractive way.

Lokprasar Prakalpo has already achieved a great success through its implementation. The so called neglected rural folk artistes of Bengal are taking part in this scheme with great enthusiasm.

Last updated on: Mon, 23 Jul 2018

Information Source: Department of Information & Cultural Affairs(I&CA), Government of West Bengal

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